EU condemns Venezuela vote

‘We will not recognize this election,’ says European Parliament president.

The European Union expressed doubt about the result of an election in Venezuela, which took place Sunday amid mass protests and violence.

In a statement, the EU’s diplomatic service and the European Commission said the bloc had “serious doubts” about the outcome, and condemned the “excessive and disproportionate” use of force.

“Venezuela has democratically elected and legitimate institutions whose role is to work together and to find a negotiated solution to the current crisis. A Constituent Assembly, elected under doubtful and often violent circumstances, cannot be part of the solution,” the statement read. “It has increased division and will further delegitimize Venezuela’s democratically elected institutions.”

Antonio Tajani, the president of the European Parliament, went further.

“We will not recognize this election,” he said in a statement Monday. “It is very clear that the current regime is clinging to power. The will of the people is to change the regime. It is necessary to go to elections now.”

Venezuela is embroiled in a political and economic crisis. Since protests against leftist President Nicolás Maduro’s government began in April, dozens of protesters have been killed and hundreds more injured.

On Sunday, Maduro claimed victory in an election for an assembly that will draft a new constitution. But the opposition claim the Maduro regime is destroying the country’s democratic institutions.

Venezuela’s election body said turnout was 41.5 percent, but opposition leaders said most Venezuelans abstained, the BBC reported. At least 10 people were killed in protests on Sunday.

On Friday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence called for the restoration of democratic institutions in Venezuela. He said the Trump administration would respond with strong economic actions if the Maduro regime went forward with the Constituent Assembly.